Electric clock-setting means



Dec. l5 1925 1.565.334

F. J. sEABoL-r ELECTRIC CLOCK SETTING MEANS Filed Jan. 42, '1914 TIME SWITCH Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRANK J'. SEABOLT, OF SCHENECTADY,

NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT .AND

IvESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SERVICE CLOCK COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC CLOCK-SETTING MEANS.

Application filed January 2, 1914.

T0 all cli/rom t may concern.'

Be it known-that I, FRANK J. Snixeoifr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State `of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Clock-Setting Means, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrically controlled clocks or the like, and has for its object the provision of means whereby devices of this general character are automatically set from a remote point in a simple and reliable manner.

My invention relates more specifically to the control of clocks or the like which are connected to electric light or power circuits one of the objects of my invention being to provide means whereby such a clock or any number of such clocks may be automatically set from a remote point by temporarily changing the condition of the circuit, as for instance, by opening the circuit or dropping the voltage for an instant.

My invention is particularly applicable to clocks which are automatically wound at intervals from an electric lighting circuit. Such a clock is disclosed in a patent application filed by Eugene Pons, Serial No` 711,444 tiled July 25, 1912. In said application there is described a clock in which ata detinite time, as indicated by the hands of the clock, the circuit of an electric motor is automatically closed to wind the clock meehanism. This winding would ordinarily occur at a definite time every day. One of the objects of my invention is to automatically set the hands of the clock at the same time or at about the same time that the clock is wound. To this end I provide means whereby an instantaneous change in the circuit, such as an opening or flash7 of the circuit will cause all of the clocks connected to the circuit to have their hands set. In one particular embodiment of my invention I employ a setting device which sets the hands of the clock as it moves in response to a bias or spring tension, the spring or other biasing means being put under strain or tension during the winding operation. This setting device is held under tension by an electromagnet connected to the lighting circuit so that when the circuit is manipulated to de- Sel'ial No. 809,349.

energize the magnet, the device will be released and thehands set. All the clocks being arranged in the same way, they will all be set at the same time. In this way a large number of clocks, a hundred, a thousand, or even several thousand, may be automatically set at the same instant by a single instantaneous act affecting the circuit. In fact, it is contemplated that all the clocks connected to the lighting circuit in a town or city may be automatically set by interrupting or otherwise affecting the circuit for an instant at the powerhouse or central station.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of my invention, Fig. 1 is a front view of a clock embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the setting mechanism; Figs. t to 7 show the hand setting fingers in 'different positions; and Fig. 8 shows a number of clocks connected to a lighting or power circuit.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that I have illustrated an electrically wound clock of the type shown and described in the application above referred to. This particular arrangement, exclusive of the setting feature, forms no part of my present invention, but in order that a better understanding of the invention as a whole may behad I shall explain the whole clock mechanism in detail. In Figs. 1 and 2, therefore, II indicates an electric motor having an armature A and a series field F which winds the clock spring (not shown). The spring has its inner end secured to the shaft 10 and is wound by turning this shaft by means of a pinion 11, gearing 12 and main gear 13 secured to shaft 10. The outer end of the spring is secured to the spring drum (not shown) in the well known manner. The rotation of the motor will therefore rotate the shaft 10 and wind the clock spring and as the clock runs down the spring drum will of course rotate and transmit its power to the clocl mechanism in a manner well understood. In order to control the motor circuit so that, when the spring runs down a certain amount, the motor circuit will be closed and, when it is properly wound up, the motor circuit will be opened, I provide two Contact members, one of which is 'driven by the shaft 10 and the other by the spring drum. ne of these members is secured to the gear' 13 and consists vof a flat disk 14 of insulating material upon which is mounted the disk 15 of metal, such as brass. This metallic disk is cut away to receive the plate 1G of insulating material. This plate is segmental in shape and is provided at its outer edge where it joins the metal disk with a rib or flange 17. This segmental plate is so' arranged with reference to the 'disk and the shaft 10 that the rib 17 is eccentric with reference to the shaft. The Vmain body of the plate 16 is flush with the surface of the metallic disk and the rib does not extend all the way around the edge of the segment but leaves portions 1S and 19 at the ends of the rib at which the conducting and insulating` surfaces are flush. A brush 2O engages the edge of the disk 15. The other conducting' member is a spring finger 21 which is driven by the spring drum.

The spring `finger 21 engages the flat surface of the other conducting member and is yieldingly held in contact therewith. This finger is likewise adjacent the rib 17 so that it will be deflected by the rib as the contact` ing' members rotate with reference to each other. By referring to Fig. 2 the operation of the two contacting members will be clearly understood. Assuming that the finger 21 is in the position shown, the spring' has just been wound and the finger has snapped over the edge of the rib 17 and opened the motor circuit. As the spring runs down the finger will be carried around on the inside of the rib by the rotation of the spring drum to which the finger is attached and since the rib is eccentric, the finger will be placed un der tension. Then the finger reaches the end of the rib it will snap over the end of the rib across the fiush surface 18 into engagement with the conducting' surface of the disk 15. If the motor now operates it will rotate the gear 13 which will rotate the shaft 10 and wind the spring and will turn the rib in the same direction that the brush was rotated, viz, a clockwise direction, thereby causing the finger 21 to slide around the outside of the rib and be placed under tension as before until it snaps over the end of the rib, across the flush surface 19 to its initial position and opens theanotor circuit.V The spring` has thus been wound up exactly the amount it has run down. If, however, when the finger snaps over across the flush surface 1S into engagement with the conducting surface of the disk, there is no current or the motor circuit is open at another point (as hereinafter described), then the finger will continue to rotate in contact with the disk for more than one revolution so as to give a long' period during which the spring may at any time be wound if current is supplied, and in order to positively stop the clock after a predetermined movement,

I provide the stop element 22. This element is curved as shown and pivoted at 23. Then the finger travels around the first time it engages the upper end of the element land moves it inward toward the shaft 10, thereby moving the lower end provided with the curved stop surface 211 outward so that the next time the finger comes around it will engage this stop surface and stop the clock. llfhen the motor is now energized, the finger will remain substantially stationary, but the other member will rotate as before in a clockwise direction, the linger sliding around the outside of the rib. lVhen it reaches the end of the rib it will not vsnap off before, but it will ride over the upper end of the element 22. then the finger passes the pivotal point of the element it will move it back to the position shown against the stop and continue on around until it finally snaps off the end of the rib. The clock is thus wound up eX- aetly the amount. it ran down.

ln order that the winding shall occur at a predetermined time of day and occur ev- 'ery day at the same time, l provide another switch independent of thc contacting' mechanism but in series therewith, which must be closed before the motor can be energized. This switch is vcontrolled by the position of the hands of the clock. To this end the hour hand, which of course moves proportionately to the minute hand, is provided with a gear 2G which meshes with a gear 27 having twice as many teeth as gear 26 so that the gear 27 will be rot-ated once in twenty-four hours, Secured to the gear 27 is a contact member consisting of a conducting' disk covered with an insulating inaterial 2S) which is cut away part of the way around the edge to expose the conduct-ing' strip 30. A brush 31 makes contact with the edge of the disk so as to be in conductingl relation with strip 30. A. finger 32 to which electrical connection is made by brush cooperates with strip to close the motor circuit. This finger may be adjusted by the thumb nut 3st so as to change the hour at which contact will be made. All this is described in the Pons application above referred to and requires no further discussion. Vith'this arrangement the clock will be automatically wound every day when the hands of the clock reach a predetermined position. i.. e., at a predetermined time.

In order to set the hands of the clock every day and set all of the clocks which are connected to the circuit, l provide the arrangement shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 7. This consists of means for moving a hand setting device against the tension of a spring as the clock is being wound. The setting device is such that it sets the hands when it is moved by the spring from one position, which may be called the operative posiltlf) tion, to its normal or inoperative position. It is held in its operative position by an electromagnetic device connected to the circuit independently of any of the other switches or contacting devices in the clock. ln the arrangement shown, a magnet holds the setting device through the agency oit a latch so that when the circuit is interrupted or the voltage suliiciently lowered for an instant, the setting device will be released and the hands will be set. In order to operate the setting Idevice to place it under tension, I provide a cam driven by the winding mechanism. As shown, this cani is driven from the gear 13 by pinion 36 on sha'tt 37. rlhis cam projects backward from the back ot the clock,

since the hands are set from the bach. rlhe minute hand is secured in the usual wziy to the arbor 33 which extends through the back frame 39 of the clock, and an arm 40 torming a pilot hand is secured thereto so that when the pilot hand is moved the minute hand will be moved accordingly. A lever 41 pivot-ed at 42 has one end cooperating` with an electromagnet 43. This magnet controls a pivoted latch 44 which is drawn from the magnet by a spring 45 and which engages with the end oi the lever 41 to hold it against the tension of spring 46 when the magnet is energized. The circuit ot the magnet is closed by bridging the contacts 477 which is done by the lever 41 as it is moved toward the magnet. rlihe opposite end of the lever has an arm 48 pivoted to it and a light spring 49 gives the arm a tendency to move downward from the 'full line position in Fig. 3. A stop 50 limits the upward movement of the arm. rThe free end of arm 48 engages with the @am face oi the cam 35 and is notched at 51 to receive the cam surface and prevent lateral movement of the arm. In order that the arm 48 and the mechanism attached thereto may return in response to the tension of spring when released at any time regardless ot the position of the cam, l cause the arm 48 to return by a different `path from that which it traveled when moved by the cam, and thus be free of the cam on its return movement. lhen the highest point of the cam surface passes under the arm 48, the surface drops ott' abruptly and trees the arm, whereupon the spring 49 torces the arin downward until its free end engages the guide surface 52. Upon its return movement. the springl 46 iorces the arm up the inclined surface 59. In case the cam should be in such position. that the arm would strike the side of the cam and not be able to engage the cam face. it will remain in this position until the clock winds again. whereupon the arm will move up against the stop as soon the lowest position of the cani comes adjacent the arm and the cain surtace will tit into the notch 51 ot the arm. it will be understood that the cam may make several revo lutions while the clocl; is winding and that there is no certainty as to the position in which the cam will bel left when the winding is completed.

In Figs. 4 to 7 have shown a form of' setting device which is suitable for my purpose. This consists of a rod 53 pivoted to the lever 4l at l4 and having its opposite end provided with a pin 55 which moves in slot in a plate 57. Pivoted to the pin 55 are two lingers 53 and 59 which are forced apart by spring (it) into the position shown in Figs. 4 to G, the projections Gl acting to limit the moven'lent. rifhe pin 55 with the ,fingers pivoted thereto moves back and forth in the slot 56 toward and from the pilot hand 4t). ln order to close the lingers on the return movement in response to the tension of spring 46, I have provided the guide pins G2 which are square at their lower ends to tit in a transverse slot (i3 in the plate while the portions ot' the pins above the plate are round. The pins are pressed apart by spring G4. @n the underside 0i the iingers cooperating with the projecting portions ot the pins are ribs 65. As the iingers move forward the ribs engage the pins and in sliding along them the pins are pressed together as shown in Fig. 7. Vhen the ends of the ribs are reached the pins are released and pressed back to their original position as shown in Fig. 6. ln this Figure 6 the' parts are shown in the position which they assume when the lever 41 has been moved into engagement with the magnet and latched there, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Vfhen the magnet is deenergized and the rod 53 starts to return, the pins 62 being on the outside of the ribs will force the fingers together and in doing so will adjust the pilot hand 40 as shown in Fig. 7. Upon still further backward movement, the pin will pass the ends oi the ribs and the hngers will move back to the position shown in Fig. 4. in which position they will remain until the cloclt is again wound. lt will be noted that the magnet 43 is connected across the line independently of any of the other switches oi the clock mechanism. This is shown in Fig. 2. It will moreover be noted that the magnet is only energized when the hand setting device is moved by tl e winding` mcclninisiu and that the magnet is deenergized as soon as the setting device is released. It is also deenergized with a quick break.

ln Fig. S l have shown a number oit cloclis oi the type above described connected to an electric circuit, and a time switch for interrupting the circuit. l have shown this merely tor purposes at illustration, since this is a convenient method of opening and closing an electric circuit. It is desirable, of course, that this switch interrupt th'e cirlil) cuit at as near the same time every day 'as possible-generally at twelve oclock noon. Any method, however, of interrupting the circuit so as to release the setting device and set the hands at the proper time will come within the spirit oit my invention.

The mode oi' operation of my clock setting arrangement will now be quite apparent. Assuming that it is desired to set the clocks every day at noon, the clocks would be set to wind some time before noon, say, ior insta-nce, about three or 'tour minutes betere twelve. rlhe winding operation will ordinarily take but a iew seconds, so that the hand setting device will be in the position shown in VFig. 6 three or tour minutes betore twelve. rl`his would allow for the clocks being three or four minutes slow, although ordinarily a clock that is wound and set every day would not run o'tl1 as much as that. At the proper time the circuit is interrupted and every clock connected to the circuit will automatically be set to its pr per position whether they are three or Ytour .inimites or less either tast or slow. It 'through accident or n'iistal-:e the circuit should not be interrupted, the hands will move until they cngage the setting 'lingers and will then stop. This will be notice that something has gone nug'ong, although with automatic means 'for interrupting the circuit there is absolutely no reason why the circuit should ever 'tail to be interrupted. lWith this arrangement any number ot clocks may be automatically wound and set from a central point so as to indicate the exact time by simply connecting the clocks to the lighting circuit in the same way that a lamp is connected, providing, ot course, the circuit is interrupted or the voltage lowered at the proper time. It the settingshould be done at a time when the lights are on, the interruption would merely cause a flicker.

TNhile I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and as operating' in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit my invenn tion thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing 'from the spirit ot my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

7hat I claim as new and desire to secure -by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination of a clock mechanism, a setting device therefor, an electric motor Ifor winding the clock, a normally energized circuit connected to the motor and setting device, and means whereby the electric motor winds the mechanism at predetermined time and places the setting device 'in position to thereafter set the hands on a temporary change ot condition in said cir cuit.

2. The combination of a clock mechanism, a setting device therefor, an 'electric lmotor for winding the same, a normally venergized circuit connected to the motor and setting device, and means whereby the electric motor winds the mechanism at a prede termed time and places 'the setting device in position to therealter set 'the hands upon an interrul'ition ot said circuit.

3. The combination of a clock mechanism, a setting device therefor biased vto one position and arranged to set the clock hands in moving to said position, an electric motor connected to said device for moving it to a second position against the bia and an elcctroma'gnet tor holding the device in said latter position until released.

l. The combination ot a clock mechanism, an electric motor tor winding the same, circuit connections thereto, an electromagnetic setting device and means whereby the electric motor winds the mechanism lat a predetermined time a's indicated by the hands olf the clock and places the setting device nnder the control 'ot the circuit so that the hands ot the clocl; will be therea'lter set upon an instantaneous chai'ige in the condition ot said. circuit.

5. rhe combination with a clock mechanism, an electric motor for vwinding the same, circuit connection thereto, an electromagnetic setting device and means whereby the electric motor winds the mechanism at a predetrmined time as indicated by the hands ot the clock and places the setting device under the control of the circuit so that the hands ot the clock will be thereafter set upon an instantaneous lowering 'ot the voltage ot said circuit.

6. rlhe combination of a clock mechanism, an electric circuit connected thereto, a seti ting device for said clock and means whereby at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands ot the clock the clock mechanism is wound and the setting` device connected to the circuit so that it will set the clock when the condition of the circuit is instantaneously changed. n

7. The combination of a clock mechanism, and electric lighting circuit connected thereto, a setting device 'for said clock and means whereby at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock the clock mechanism is wound and the setting device thereby placed under the control ot the circuit so that it will set the clock when the voltage of the circuit is instantaneously lowered.

S. The combination of a clock mechanism, an electric circuit, a setting device for said clock connected thereto and means whereby at a predetermined time as indicated by th'e hands of the clock the 'setting device is placed under the control ot the circuit so that it will set and release the clock hands when the condition of the circuit iS instantaneously changed.

9. rif'he combination of a clock mechanism, an electric motor tor winding the same, circuit connections thereto, means whereby the motor automatically winds the clock mechanism at a predetermined time, a setting device Ytor the hands of the clock springbiased to an inoperative position and arranged to set the hands in moving to said position, means wherebyV the said device is moved to operative position against the tension oi the spring and placed under control ot the circuit upon the winding ot the clock mechanism, electrically controlled means tor holding the mechanism in operative position, and means whereby the setting mechanism is released and the hands automatically set upon a temporary change in the condition ot said circuit.

l0. The combination ot' a clock mechanism, an electric motor for winding the same, an electric circuit therefor, means whereby the motor automatically winds the clock mechanism when the hands et the clock reach a predetermined position, a setting device which sets the hands in moving 'from an operative to an inoperative position and biased to the latter position, means whereby said device is moved to operative position against the bias upon the .Winding of the cloclr mechanism, and an electromagnet energized by said circuit upon such movement to hold the said device against the bias until the magnet is deenergized.

ll. rthe combination ot a clock mechanism, an electric motor 'for winding the same, an electric circuit therc'tor, means whereby the .motor automatically winds the clock mechanism when the hands of the clock reach a predetermined position, a serting device which sets the hands in moving 'from an operative to an inoperative position and biased to the latter position, means whereby said device is moved to operative posit-ion against the bias upon the winding of the clock mechanism, and an electromagnet energized by said circuit upon the movement ot the device to operative position to hold the said device against the bias until the magnet is deenergized.

12. The combination oit a clock mechanisin, an electromagnetically controlled setting device therefor, an elec-tric circuit, and means whereby the setting device is connected to the circuit at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock and sets and releases the hands when the condition oi said circuit is changed.

i8. The combination of a clock mechanism, an automatic winding mechanism therefor, an electric circuit, an electromagnetic hand setting device and means Whereby the operation ot the winding mechanism causes the electromagnet or the setting de.-

vice to be connected to the circuit, said magnet being decnergized when the setting device operates.

14. The combination of a clock mechanism, an automatic winding mechanism theretor, an electric circuit, an electromagnetically controlled hand setting device biased to a predetermined position and arranged to set the hands in moving to said position and means whereby the operation of the winding mechanism at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock con` nects the magnet of the setting device to the circuit and moves the setting element thereof against the bias to a position in which it is held by the magnet so that upon changing the condition or' the circuit to decrease the holding power of the magnet, the hands will be set.

l5. The combination with a clock mechanism ot a hand setting member therefor, a normally energized circuit, an electromagnet connected thereto at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock for holding the setting member and means whereby the setting member operates to set and release the hands When the circuit is changed to reduce the holding power of the magnet.

16. A setting device for a clock comprising a setting element biased to a predetermined position and arranged to set the hands of the clock in moving to said position, a magnet for holding the setting device against the bias and an electromagnetic device for moving the setting element into the control oit the magnet.

17. The combination ot a clock mechanism, a setting device therefor normally in a predetermined position which sets the hands in moving to said position, an electric circuit and means connected thereto for movingl said device when the hands ot the clock reach a predetermined position and tor holding it out of its normal position.

1S. A setting device for a clock comprising a setting element normally in a predetermined position and arranged to set the hands in moving to said position, an electromagnet :tor holding the setting device out ot its normal posit-ion and independent means for moving the setting element into control ot the magnet.

19. The combination with the hands otl a clock and a normally energized circuit, of elcetro-magnetically controlled means energized at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock whereby the hands are set and released upon a subsequent lowering of the voltage of the circuit from normal.

20. The combination of a clock mechanism, a setting device therefor, an electromagnet for holding the setting device in a position trom. which it' will set the ,hands when released, a normally energized circuit connected to said magnet and means Whereby at a predetermined time the setting device is moved into the control ot' the electromagnet.

21. A combination ot a clock mechan nism, a setting. device therefor which sets the hands in moving trouian. operative to an inoperative position and biased to the latter position, an electric circuit, means whereby said device'is moved against. the bias so as to, be inoperative position when the hands oi the hands of theclochV reach a predetermined position and an electromagnet energized vby said circuit to hold the saidr device against the bias until the energization of the magnet is reduced to release it.

2,2.v A setting` device for ay clock comprising a setting element biased toa predetermined position and arranged to setthe hands oit the clock iny moving to said position, a magnet for holding the said device against the bias and means for moving,- the said element into the controll o't'. the magnet.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of December, 1913,

FRANK J. SEABOLT'. 

